Zoo animals and the quake

I love the National Zoo's detailed description of the animals' behavior both before and in the aftermath of the earthquake. Would NOT have been wanting to be in the snake house: "All the snakes (including copperheads, cotton mouth, and false water cobra) began writhing during the quake. Normally, they are inactive during the day."

More at the zoo's website here.

Earthquake!!!

DC and apparently the East Coast from SC through Mass was just rattled by a 5.9 (estimated) earthquake. Evacuated the office as the building increasingly shook. I'd estimate lasted under a minute. Can't say I really knew what I was doing -- growing up in Montgomery County, MD, we weren't exactly taught survival strategies for such situations. Blizzards and black ice, we got that covered. The ground shaking under us? Not so much.

The PR machine for the epicenter's town of Mineral, VA - population 478 - is really on top of it. I guess they don't get the chance to be the subject of an international news story too often.

Seems like the National Mall is still evacuated and Amtrak has ceased service. No serious damage and nobody hurt -- that I've heard -- but have already heard some pretty interesting stories of where people were and how they were reacted: Sitting in the stirrups at the gyno's office? Check. Trying to fly out for your own wedding? Check. Watching your paintings fall off the walls? Check. Open forum to post yours here.

P.S. Should we be worried about an aftershock?

DC stereotypes map

Disclaimer: I am not the genius who came up with this.

Check out the DC Stereotype Map, it's pretty spot-on. Guess I'm supposed to be one of those drunk Catholic girls. But I don't get the ducks reference.

Courtesy of SocialStudiesDC.com

Wordless Wednesday

Clyde goes for a swim

Warwick Sabin for State Rep.

Proud to report I've just learned that Warwick Sabin, publisher of the Oxford American magazine and former editor of the Arkansas Times -- and a brilliant guy I'm fortunate to call a friend -- has announced he's running for a seat in the Arkansas House of Representatives. It's my district (Hillcrest) and is currently occupied by the wonderful Rep. Kathy Webb, who is term-limited.

He's perfect for the job.

Warwick Sabin

Sign up for updates at http://www.wsabin.org/

There's also a Facebook page.

Spread the word!

Literacy Action of Central Arkansas in Arkansas Life magazine

A big congratulations to everyone at Literacy Action of Central Arkansas for this fabulous profile in the August edition of Arkansas Life magazine. The piece details this too often under-the-radar nonprofit, the staff and tutors that dedicate themselves to helping more Arkansans learn to read and write, and how large the need is for more volunteers to get involved.

If you live in Arkansas, I hope you'll read it and consider becoming a bigger part of this wonderful organization.

And if you don't, send a contribution or get involved with your own local literacy council. Every time you open the newspaper to read an article, go online to Google something, or even just check the movie listings, dont' forget -- the need is everywhere.